Lieutenant Colonel (RET) Cliff Johnston
LTC(R) Clifton “Cliff” Johnston enlisted in the Army as an 11B Infantryman in 1984 while a freshman at Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, OK. He served in the 95th Division (TNG) Leadership Academy as a Drill Sergeant Candidate until receiving a three-year ROTC scholarship through the University of Central Oklahoma. He was commissioned into the Chemical Corps in 1988.
Cliff’s assignments include three years in Germany as a Battalion Chemical Officer and later Platoon Leader in the 2d Battalion, 43rd Air Defense (PATRIOT). In Europe he also performed duties as a NATO Evaluator for Tactical Evaluation Active and Passive Defense. Command assignments include commanding the HHC 89th Military Police Brigade at Fort Cavazos, TX. Command assignments also include the Contingency Support Detachment, supporting the White House Military Office, the Headquarters Support Troops, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and the Pine Bluff Chemical Activity, Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR. Tactical staff assignments include Brigade Chemical Officer 5th ID and 2nd AD, Battalion S-3 84th CM BN, Assistant Chemical Officer and CBRN Planner 32nd Air and Missile Defense Command (OEF/OIF) and Separate Brigade Chemical Officer 31st Air Defense Brigade. Cliff served as the senior military member of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency as Chief of the Strategic Operations and Analysis Division and later as Chief of the CBRN and Watercraft Branch within the Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA), DCoS, G-4.
Since retirement in 2010, Cliff has continued to support the DoD CBRN Community and Mission. He served 5 years on the Joint Staff as a contractor within the J-8 Joint Requirements Office and two years as a Department of the Army Civilian at the HQDA G-3 and G-8.
Cliff continues to serve as the Senior Protection Program Analyst and Portfolio Manager within the Army Futures Command G-3/5/7 Future Operations Division for all CBRN, MP, and EN portfolios.
Cliff’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, GWOT Expeditionary and Service Medals, Airborne Badge, German Military Efficiency Badge. His education includes a Bachelor of Science (Biology), Southern Nazarene University, Master of Science (Civil Engineering Environmental Science), University of Oklahoma, and Graduate Certificates from Chemical Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Technical Escort Course, Command and General Staff College and White House Executive Support Contingency Operations and Readiness Training Course (ESCORT) (Student and Instructor).
Organizational memberships include Lifetime Member US Army Chemical Corps Regimental Association; Life Loyal Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity; Lifetime Member National Infantry Association.